Munster, Grant, Flegler: A mock starting side for the NRL's 17th team

The ETA for a second team in Brisbane remains a mystery, but one thing is certain: it's going to happen sooner rather than later.

Initially slated for a 2023 introduction, the financial impact of the pandemic could force the NRL to push expansion back to 2024. 

Either way, it's believed we'll know more by December after each of the three bidders - the Brisbane Jets, Brisbane Firehawks and Redcliffe Dolphins - pitched their final proposals to the ARLC commission this week.

Once approved, the 17th franchise will have limited time to assemble a roster.

BUILDING A ROSTER

Although local development and pathways are expected to be the hallmark of the new Brisbane-based team, whoever claims the license will go hard at the player market to lure some big names that will drive success on and off the field.

When the Gold Coast Titans arrived in 2007, the recruitment of Scott Prince, Luke Bailey, Anthony Laffranchi, Preston Campbell and Matt Rodgers, all marquee players at the time, formed the nucleus of the club's inaugural roster.

They were complemented by a strong core of mid-tier players - a mix of experienced and young - including the likes of Nathan Friend, Mark Minichello, Chris Walker and Gavin Cooper.

An NRL.com analysis, which gained insight from some of the game's top recruitment heads, found that generally clubs today apportion around 30 per cent of their salary cap each to middle forwards and the spine, using the remainder of funds to build around those two key areas.

Unsurprisingly, the analysis also found that playmakers are the highest earners, with 12 of the 16 existing clubs possessing a halfback or five-eighth earning around $900,000 on their list.

Therefore, we can expect the new franchise to go hard at marking a name like Cameron Munster, Sam Walker or Ben Hunt, all of which come off-contract at the end of 2023, at the top of their priority list.

From there it's about filling in important gaps in the middle of the field and at least one other marquee player in the backline, and a number of players including Queenslanders Harry Grant, Kalyn Ponga and Christian Welch have already been floated as potential targets.

OUR MOCK EXPANSION TEAM

With hundreds of players due to become free agents around 2023/2024, the successful bid would have mountains of talent to assemble a winning roster.

For the sake of this mock expansion team, we've included players who are listed to come off-contract before season 2024.

While it's hard to forecast rises and falls in salaries, we've done approximate estimates based on age, current performance and positions.

As far as salary cap, we've used the amended 2022 cap of $9.11 million, and assembled a starting 17, leaving ample funds to fill out the remainder of the roster with base-line and local talent.

HOOKER (800K)

Harry Grant ($800k)

A Yepoon product, Harry Grant fits the bill perfectly as one of the expansion bid's first marquee signings. The Jets, one of the prospective franchises, have already highlighted the Melbourne and Queensland Origin No. 9 as a key target. 

PROP ($900K)

Tom Flegler ($600k)

Tom Flegler is the ideal middle forward to build a pack around. Still just 22, by the time the expansion team joins the competition, he'll have at least 100 NRL games under his belt, and as his selection in Queensland Game III Origin squad this year suggests, some rep footy is also on the horizon.

Jarrod Wallace ($300k)

By 2023, Jarrod Wallace's career will be winding down but he'll boast close to 250 games of experience and the right leadership qualities to act as the talismanic, experienced forward needed in the middle of the field.

SECOND-ROW (850K)

Tyrell Fuimaono (400k)

Every team needs a versatile backrower who's also capable of playing at centre, and that's Tyrell Fuimaono to a tee. The Dragons forward wouldn't command top dollar but has all the traits of a strong edge forward.

Josh Curran (450k)

Josh Curran's stocks have risen insurmountably this season at the Warriors. He has quickly become one of Nathan Brown's first players picked each week. Consistent yet dynamic, he represents the perfect mid-tier back-rower the expansion team could look to sign.

LOCK (500K)

Connor Watson (500k)

Connor Watson remains one of the competition's most versatile players, which when building a roster should be a top priority. Capable of playing in the middles, in the halves, hooker and even at fullback, Watson would be an important piece in any side.

HALVES ($1.6M)

Sam Walker (700k)

An Ipswich product, Sam Walker is a ready-made target for the next Brisbane franchise. Having taken the competition by storm in his maiden year with the Roosters, the 19-year-old is on track to be one of the best halves in the game by 2023/24.

Cameron Munster (900k)

Cameron Munster has already indicated he'd be open to exploring the idea of joining the NRL's new club, particularly if, as expected, it will be coached by Wayne Bennett. His credentials speak for themselves and you'd have to think he'd be the top-earner on their list. 

CENTRE ($800K)

Brian Kelly (400k)

On his day, Brian Kelly can be a game-breaker on an edge and one you wouldn't necessarily have to fork out top dollar to attract. Already located on the Gold Coast, Kelly appears a good recruitment target that would give the new club's backline much-needed attacking spark.

Kurt Mann (400k)

Utility value is an important trait in any player and Kurt Mann possesses that in large quantities. A Central West Queenslander, Mann looms as the ideal local player for a new Brisbane team to target, but his ability to play anywhere in the backline and even in the middle as he does with Newcastle is what makes him a great acquisition.

WING (550K)

David Fusitu'a (300k)

Although wing is where clubs tend to allocate the least cap space, it's easy to justify spending money on a talent like David Fusitu'a. Still just 26 and carrying over 100 games of NRL experience, the Tongan international has plenty to offer.

Patrick Herbert (250k)

Patrick Herbert has proven a great value purchase during his time at the Titans and Warriors. A very strong finisher and powerful runner, what makes him even more appealing is his ability to play in the centres and at fullback. 

FULLBACK (650K)

Scott Drinkwater (650k)

Although Scott Drinkwater's preferred spot is five-eighth, he's proven equally adept in the custodian role, and has quickly become the cornerstone of the Cowboys' attack playing in both positions. A star attacking player still classed as mid-tier on the scale of the money playmakers demand, Drinkwater in a spine alongside Munster, Walker and Grant would be a mouth-watering prospect.

INTERCHANGE ($1.2M)

Jazz Tevaga (300k)

Arguably among the most important roles in a team, the No. 14 jersey would be worn by Jazz Tevaga who can play dummy-half and the role of a ball-playing lock. Still just 25, the Samoan international would represent a good value buy.

Jacob Host (300k)

As he's shown this season for South Sydney, Jacob Host is an excellent depth forward who possesses the traits of a traditional backrower.  

Josh McGuire (300k)

Josh McGuire will be well into his 30s by the time the new team comes in, but even if he was signed to a one-year deal, the former origin reps' experience would be invaluable off the bench.

Bryce Cartwright (300k)

Given the space offered to sides with the new rules and speed of play, having a versatile forward with the ball skills of a playmaker like Bryce Cartwright can be invaluable.

SALARY CAP BREAKDOWN

TEAM VALUE: $7.85M

SALARY CAP REMAINING: $1.26M